Selection and validation of release sites for conservation translocations of temperate-zone snakes

An inexpensive artificial snake hibernaculum built using readily available plumbing supplies

“…Optional monitoring equipment (groundwater well and frost tube) are depicted as being installed ∼1 m and ∼2 m, respectively, from the artificial snake hibernaculum ( Fig. 4 ; [ 15 ]). …”

“…Finally, it was also important that our ASH design could accommodate safe, hassle-free ingress/egress of snakes, and easy access by researchers for non-invasive monitoring, because we planned to conduct in-situ hibernation of wild-caught Eastern Gartersnakes ( Thamnophis sirtalis; see [ 15 ]), and later zoo-reared Eastern Massasauga rattlesnakes ( Sistrurus catenatus ). To this end we incorporated a removable bottom chamber ( Fig.…”

“…Although not detailed herein, this process could involve the installation of groundwater and frost monitoring equipment in the direct vicinity of the hibernaculum, or where an ASH is being proposed ( Fig. 2 ; see [ 15 ]). To ensure that the outer sleeve will eventually accommodate the inner housing, test whether an 8 cm to 4 cm ABS reducer will slide freely inside the 10 cm HDPE pipe before purchase, and avoid purchasing pre-perforated 10 cm HDPE pipe.…”

“…Although not detailed herein, this process could involve the installation of groundwater and frost monitoring equipment in the direct vicinity of the hibernaculum, or where an ASH is being proposed ( Fig. 2 ; see [ 15 ]).…”

“…The mean internal temperature and humidity based on the combined results of the 4 dataloggers was 2.8 °C (range = -2.0 °C–14.0 °C; SD = 3.4) and 92.6% (range = 67.7%–104.0%; SD = 7.5; Table 3 ). Although negative temperatures were recorded in the upper ASH chambers, the hibernacula were installed deep enough to provide access to the groundwater, which measures on average 5–6 °C during the winter in our study landscape [ 15 ]. Mean internal ASH temperature was buffered from extreme minimum and maximum ambient temperatures by 24.7 °C and 11.0 °C, respectively.…”